Tag Archives: Magic

Review: Gilded by Marissa Meyer

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,
Gilded by Marissa Meyer

Gilded (Gilded Duology #1)
Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends
Published November 2, 2021

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About Gilded

Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller’s daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda’s outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

My Review

I think what makes this book really cool is that, just like with her Lunar Chronicles, Meyer creates a whole world in which the fairytale Rumpelstiltskin takes place. The major points of the story exist in her story world, but there’s so much more breadth and depth around them. All that background or world building explains why the story happens the way it does, which I think is really cool.

Whereas the Lunar Chronicles exists in a sci-fi universe, GILDED takes place in a much more traditional fairytale world. A world with witches, curses, and a wild hunt that takes place every full moon.

I liked the characters, especially (of course) Serilda and Gild. Some of the elements of the story seemed obvious to me early on, but because this is a fairytale retelling, I feel like that’s okay? They were things beyond the Rumpelstiltskin elements, so I don’t want to spoil anything by saying more.

Overall, though, I found it easy to get lost in the lush fairytale world of GILDED and really enjoyed the story, especially the romance between Serilda and Gild.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Major characters are white. There are a couple of minor characters, two women, who are attracted to one another.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. References to sex.

Spiritual Content
The story contains magical creatures, ghosts, and magic. There are seven gods, and they can present as any gender they choose. They’re generally referred to with they/them pronouns. The Erlking binds ghosts to his service. They must obey his commands. He and the rest of his court are made up of Dark Ones, or servants of the god of death who’ve escaped his domain.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Serilda witnesses ghosts reliving brutal deaths. At one point, a gruesome zombie-like creature attacks her. She discovers the young bodies of victims of the hunt, their hearts torn out.

Drug Content
Serilda drinks a potion which makes her appear dead for a time.

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Review: Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,

Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations #1)
B. B. Alston
Balzer + Bray
Published January 19, 2021

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About Amari and the Night Brothers

Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?

Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.

If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.

With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.

My Review

I remember hearing about this book before it came out, and my calendar was too full to fit in a release date review– which I have since regretted! Finally, I was able to read it, though.

From the very beginning, this book hooked me right in. I felt Amari’s pain at her brother’s disappearance. And her wonder at discovering the supernatural world. I loved the exploration of human rights and equality through the way that people saw her as a magician. As soon as people learned she was a magician, they made assumptions about her values and character. Being a magician wasn’t something she could control, but it also did not dictate her beliefs or her behavior.

There were a few moments in this book that reminded me so much of the movie MEN IN BLACK. When Amari did her training session where she had to identify which monsters/situations were a threat, that reminded me so much of Will Smith’s character’s similar experience in the movie, and I definitely grinned at that.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Amari’s roommate Elsie and Agents Fiona and Magnus. All in all, this was a really fun book to read, and a great start to the series.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Amari is Black and a born magician. In the supernatural world, being a magician, meaning someone has a high percentage of magic in their blood, is illegal.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
An Irish character says a British swear word a couple times.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Amari has the ability to create illusions. A friend has the ability to manipulate technology with magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle scenes. Some descriptions of injuries from monsters called hybrids, which are part animal and part human.

Drug Content
None.

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Review: Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé and Paola Antista

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , ,

Sorceline (Sorceline #1)
Sylvia Douyé
Illustrated by Paola Antista
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Published on May 17, 2022

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About Sorceline

Welcome to the Island of Vorn, where mythical creatures roam free and only the brightest students are invited to study them. In Book 1 of this riveting new middle grade graphic novel series, a gifted young cryptozoologist-in-training must learn to tame powerful beasts—including her own inner demons.

For as long as she can remember, Sorceline has had a knack for the study of mythical creatures. Now a student at Professor Archibald Balzar’s prestigious school of cryptozoology, she’s eager to test her skills and earn a spot as one of Balzar’s apprentices.

But for all her knowledge of gorgons, vampires, and griffins, Sorceline is mystified by her fellow humans. While she excels in her studies, she quickly clashes with her classmates, revealing her fiery temper.

When one of her rivals suddenly disappears, Sorceline must set aside her anger and join the quest to find her. But the mystery only deepens, leading Sorceline on a journey far darker and more personal than she expected . . .

(This book contains the first three volumes of the original series)

My Review

I remember seeing this book when it came out and being completely taken with the illustrations. I love the whimsical feel of them, and all of the forest or nature spreads. The text and illustrations together give a great sense of the relationships between the characters. I love the expressions on the characters’ faces and the comments they make about each other.

At first, the story appears to be about a bunch of students competing for an internship and trying to solve the mystery of what’s causing a gorgon to be ill. (Almost like a middle grade, magical version of the show House. Ha.) As we get deeper into the tale, though, it’s clear someone is accidentally or purposefully sabotaging the students and maybe setting out to harm the magical creatures as well.

This first book in the series ends on quite a cliffhanger, so I’m really glad I’m reading it when I have access to the second book. I’m really interested to see where the story goes from here.

I think readers who enjoyed WINGBEARER by Marjorie Liu or ESTRANGED by Ethan Aldridge will love the detailed illustrations and emotive depictions of the characters in the book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
The main character appears white or white-passing. Some of the other students are people of color.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some attraction between boys and girls.

Spiritual Content
Some characters use magic. The story also contains magical creatures, references to curses, and omens.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of SORCELINE in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , ,

The Kingdom Over the Sea
Zohra Nabi
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published June 6, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Kingdom Over the Sea

Aru Shah meets One Thousand and One Nights in this lavish middle grade adventure following a girl who must travel to a mystical land of sorceresses, alchemists, jinn, and flying carpets to discover her heritage and fulfill her destiny.

My own Yara, if you are reading this, then something terrible has happened, and you are on your own. To return to the city of Zehaira, you must read out the words on the back of this letter… Good luck, my brave girl.

When twelve-year-old Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map—Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be. The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme—and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach.

Yara must summon all her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity…and to find her place in this magical new world.

My Review

Right away, I fell into the magical world of this book. It begins as Yara grieves over her mama’s death and faces a difficult choice. A letter from her mama directs her to go to a strange place and speak a spell. She’s confused because she doesn’t believe magic exists. Why would her mama ask her to do something so bizarre? Ultimately, she figures she believes in the sincerity of her mama’s letter, so she tries it. And is whisked off to a magical world.

Something about the oppressive, dangerous world Yara finds herself in reminded me of THE FIREBIRD SONG. In both books, things have gotten pretty difficult. People tell the main characters they can’t help because they’re too young or don’t have the right skills. But ultimately, of course, the main characters have something no one else has and are positioned to help in ways no one else can.

I liked that the story centers on Yara’s abilities and choices, yet still felt really believable regarding what she does and her age. I loved the relationships between her and the other characters, especially the jinn she rescues her reluctant mentor, and her two new friends.

The pacing was a little different than I expected, and it didn’t feel slow or like it was dragging or anything. It emphasized elements of a quest that other stories might have skipped over. I liked that a lot, actually. It kept the story more centered around the characters. Even though a lot of things were happening to them, it made space for us to understand the impact of the twists and reveals as they emerged. I enjoyed that a lot.

Readers who enjoyed HAMRA AND THE JUNGLE OF MEMORIES by Hanna Alkaf should check this one out.

Content Notes for The Kingdom Over the Sea

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Middle Eastern-coded characters.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Yara frees a jinn who then helps her voluntarily. A couple of sorceress characters have familiars to help them with their magic. Some characters perform magic with words and potions.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A person has been wrongfully imprisoned for years. A poison threatens the lives of anyone affected by it.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THE KINGDOM OVER THE SEA in exchange for my honest review.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays

Check out other blogs posting about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Review: Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliot McLemore

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

Venom & Vow
Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliot McLemore
Feiwel & Friends
Published May 16, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Venom & Vow

Keep your enemy closer.

Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s doubling for his brother.
Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future queen of Eliana.
Gael Palma is the infamous boy assassin Cade has vowed to protect.
Patrick McKenna is the reluctant heir to a kingdom, and the prince Gael has vowed to destroy.

Cade doesn’t know that Gael and Valencia are the same person.
Valencia doesn’t know that every time she thinks she’s fighting Patrick, she’s fighting Cade.
And when Cade and Valencia blame each other for a devastating enchantment that takes both their families, neither of them realizes that they have far more dangerous enemies.

Cowritten by married writing team Anna-Marie and Elliott McLemore, this is a lush and powerful YA novel about owning your power and becoming who you really are – no matter the cost.

My Review

I’ve really wanted to read books by Anna-Marie McLemore for a long time, but so far only managed to read a short story by them in SERENDIPITY: TEN ROMANTIC TROPES TRANSFORMED. I loved the short story, and when I saw this book up for grabs as a review copy from MacMillan, I knew I wanted to read it.

To be honest, I had kind of a mixed experience with this book.

First, I loved the characters. Cade is a transgender prince who should be next in line to rule, but has complicated feelings about that. Instead, he impersonates his brother, Patrick, when Patrick needs things taken care of.

Valencia serves as a dama to her princess, but also as an assassin as Gael, a boy with an affinity for knives. Valencia wrestles with questions about whether her identity as both male and female is something her people will accept. Gael also makes some powerful enemies, which could be bad if those enemies connect his identity to Valencia’s.

The story world is definitely rich with magic and interesting elements that seem both inspired by Latine culture and Scottish culture. Super cool. The Eliane people are protected by Quetzals and other magical creatures that emerge from their tapestries. Sea monsters guard the Adare.

While the story world has some rich elements, I felt like there were also some confusing aspects. We know there’s been a curse, which removed both kingdom’s leaders and a few others. Descriptions of that night are choppy, which makes sense at first, because it’s a memory from years ago and both Cade and Valencia were not close enough to make out all the details.

As the story progresses, though, there were times information kind of got dropped into a scene and it felt like it was something we were already supposed to know, but yet was new information.

The progression of events from scene to scene felt choppy, too. At one point, a scene ends in the middle of a battle, with one character appearing to be the victor. The next scene opens with the apparent victor lying dead, but we never learn how they were overpowered or what happened. Stuff like that.

I did really enjoy the relationships between the characters and getting to see the representation of both Cade and Valencia/Gael. Both have chronic pain as well as queer identities.

Content Notes for Venom & Vow

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Cade is a transgender prince with chronic pain. He uses a staff for support and as a weapon. Valencia/Gael is bigender and also has chronic pain. Valencia and her people are Latine-coded.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some brief profanity in Spanish used pretty infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl or boy and boy. In one scene maybe the characters go to bed together? It’s written kind of subtly, and then mentions someone waking and their partner being already gone.

Spiritual Content
Magical creatures appear and help the members of the kingdoms they support.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Battle violence.

Drug Content
Characters consume drinks that contain alcohol and also, for the first time, caffeine. The caffeinated drinks make them feel mentally sharper but also jittery, so it’s presented much like drinking alcohol would be.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of VENOM & VOW in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Cursed Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber

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Cursed Crowns (Twin Crowns #2)
Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
Balzer + Bray
Published May 9, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Cursed Crowns

Bestselling authors and real-life sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber join forces on a compelling YA fantasy bursting with high-stakes adventure, romance and humour. Two queens, one throne. What can possibly go wrong . . .?

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns . . . but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Cool-headed Rose sets off on a Royal Tour to win over the doubters, but soon finds herself drawn to the Sunless Kingdom. Here secrets are revealed about those closest to her, and Rose finds her loyalties divided.

Meanwhile rebellious Wren steals away to the icy north to rescue their beloved grandmother, Banba. But when she accepts King Alarik’s deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom, the spell has unexpected – and far-reaching – consequences . . .

As an ancient curse begins to arise from the darkness, the sisters must come together and unite the crown. Their lives – and the future of Eana – depend on it.

Break the ice to free the curse,
Kill one twin to save another . . .

My Review

I started this series because Catherine Doyle wrote one of my favorite middle grade series. In addition, it’s about two sisters– one of my favorite kinds of stories.

I like the pacing of CURSED CROWNS. Things happen quickly, and that kept me feeling like I wanted to keep reading to see what happened next, even long past time for me to go to bed. I also like the two sisters and their different personalities. Rose is so proper, but she uses that knowledge to wield respect and power, which is really cool. Wren has no patience for the long game of diplomacy. She acts impulsively, guided by her gut and her heart. I love that about her.

Though it’s a longer book– 499 pages– the writing is easy to read, and the chapters are pretty short. I read it pretty fast, and had a lot of fun reading it. The story doesn’t take itself overly seriously, either. Sometimes odd, even ridiculous things happen that kind of give a break from the stakes and intensity of the situation the queens find themselves in.

The first book, TWIN CROWNS introduces a romance for each sister. I felt like there was more emphasis on the romance in that book than I expected there to be. It left me wondering if the balance between the romance and the other plot elements was off.

I think CURSED CROWNS has a great balance between these two components, and it even introduces some complications to the romance that I’m really interested in following into the next book in the series.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Main characters are white. Shen and some other minor characters are described as having dark eyes and golden-brown skin and coming from a desert kingdom.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. Some vague references to wanting more than kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters are witches and have the ability to perform magic. One character learns of a forbidden magic that is performed using blood, but it comes at a high cost.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Battle scenes. A faction of people with deep anti-witch sentiment threaten Rose and her party. A group of animals try to attack Wren.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol. One character repeatedly pines for whiskey.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of CURSED CROWN in exchange for my honest review.